We love to watch our pets roam freely, to see the smile on the dog’s face when we remove the leash and let him run in the field. Mine makes huge circles around me, like the true circus Rat Terrier that he is. Nature, cats and dogs go hand in hand. Hmm, hand in paw. [...]

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Some people clean a little corner of the house each day so they never have to face an entire day of tidying up. However, most of us are not that diligent. A house is meant to be lived in and, as such, it is bound to look, well, lived-in. Spring cleaning requires planning. This includes [...]

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I began the previous blog post with intentions of reviewing architectural traits that ensure the resilience of buildings in the case of natural occurrences such as earthquakes. Inevitably, the human aspect of the topic took precedence over technicalities. Nevertheless, we wonder. How safe are we? Do we truly build with nature in mind or mostly [...]

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Remember TV adds for “The Clapper”? Remember the first remote control television? When you think about it, the light switch next to every door is a form of remote-activation device also. The first light switch dates back to 1884. It transformed everything and is a powerful symbol of how we naturally put our creativity at [...]

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While the woodchuck glances at the white lacy curtain that separates it from its yearly pronouncement; while town plows relentlessly clear the roads so that business may go on as usual; while bankers show up for banking and restaurateurs to provide warm fare for skiers, tourists, businessmen and women, many emerge bravely from the warmth [...]

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Whether you plan on acquiring a newly constructed home or a classic antique, you likely have grand plans for your new abode. You can envision the perfect kitchen with sliding glass doors to a deck that would make Club Med look like a second-rate destination. Windows, you want windows everywhere, welcoming the sun and moon [...]

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The “Green Movement” dates back further than we think. Environmental philosophy was an intrinsic element of intellectual thought dating back to the 1830’s. Zoom forward to 1970, and you may recall the legislative fervor, made obvious by the media, that earned nature increased visibility in the midst of all our modern concerns. This is especially [...]

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Napoleon and I stood over a two-foot deep crater in the snow. It was still smoldering, more than twelve hours after the incident. I laughed, but knew it was really not funny. It all began with a house-sitting gig in a three story building. I lived alone with Napoleon, my gorgeous, but neurotic Dalmatian and [...]

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Ha! The dreaded home inspection! A little mold is normal in a 30-year-old house, right? How do I know what sort of faucet the new owners will want? Can they not replace the leaky one themselves when they get here? Selling a home is a bit like revealing family secrets. As honest as we are, [...]

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